Kitty and The Germ

Chennai

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Welcome to exotic India. “Incredible India!” as the advertising slogan says.

On our passage to India, via Kuala Lumpur, we got a hotel room in the airport (thanks for the valuable tip Erin) and slept for hours. It was needed.

In the airport, we toyed with the idea of buying the Lonely Planet book for India, but of course that was one more thing to schlep and it was almost 100 USD. We decided against it. Not before we read about our first destination–Chennai where the opening lines described the city as really hard to find anything to rave about. Great.

We arrived in Chennai late. The next morning we had our guide and our driver pick us up. Within minutes Marc and I both agreed that we were happy we weren’t driving ourselves. Cars were going every which way, no one was obeying the traffic lights and swerving around the various wild life roaming freely on the street which include cows, water buffalo, packs of dogs, and monkeys. The city of Chennai was flooded. The monsoon came late this year and because the city has no drainage, huge water floods (massive puddles) were everywhere. Of course we couldn’t get over how many people weren’t wearing shoes. Our guide explained that no shoes made their lives easier. It didn’t sit well with either of us. No shoes?

Monsoon and No Drainage

Local Fuel Transport

We went to a school for performing arts and saw some dancers. It was really interesting. No photography allowed. Horrible weather.

We saw a few Hindu temples. They were lovely. I have to admit that I can’t stand taking my shoes off. I have a fear that I am going to catch something and my shoes are going to disappear. This fear was solidified when we saw people hawking shoes on the street. They were such random shoes–men’s, women’s, casual, formal–all used and all different sizes. Suspicious.

Siva Temple Close-up

Entry – No Shoes

Siva and Parvathi

Siva Temple In Chennai

Figures

One of Many Siva Models

Calv at Temple

Bananas Are From Kitty

We drove and drove–to see a gold temple. It was lovely, but very far to get there. Everyone was staring at us. More noticeably, they were staring at me. They were photographing me. I am the only blonde in sight. I am a foot taller than every other woman. I am either a big freak show or exotic. Still undecided.

Proceed To Temple

Hindu Temple

Mango Tree That Siva Sat Under

Hindu Princess

More Hindu

Granite Carvings

We have good food, but of course we get heartburn. Trying to describe heartburn to Indians is not an easy task. What we wouldn’t do for a roll of Rolaids. We never have heartburn. We hope this doesn’t last.

We buy a sari. Marc is loving the colorful silks and is growing very tired of my black uniform. I try to explain that I am indeed switching it up. Which part? My earrings.